Rockets owner Les Alexander has been fined $100,000 by the NBA for walking onto the court during the middle of the Rockets Game 5 matchup with the Thunder, according to ESPN’s Marc Spears.

The fine is referring to this moment in Game 5 where Les Alexander walked out on the floor while the clock was running and spoke to the referee.

Les Alexander has been the Rockets owner since 1983, so I’m sure he has a lot of strong feelings about his team. But you can’t be walking down to the court like that.

Authentic Kids Connor Cook Jersey Ah, but the draft! The Leafs need to build through the draft, not free agency, people say, in the tones of a priest telling teenage boys not to masturbate. This seems to imply that the Leafs are right on the verge of drafting a top five defenceman in the NHL if they just behave themselves and are smart.Authentic Kids Mike Wallace Jersey
The timeline is the final, and maybe the most important, reason to sign Kevin Shattenkirk. The Leafs are good now, and they will only have Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on cheap entry-level contracts for two more years. In that period, the Leafs can put out one of the deepest forward cores and one of the deadliest top four defence groups in the league, and they can contend for the Stanley Cup. The window opens earlier than anyone thinks¡ªthink of how quickly Chicago and Pittsburgh went from last to a Cup¡ªand it may close earlier, too. If you can put yourself into the contending tier of the NHL, you do it when you have the chance.

If you’re trying to figure out what this means: the red line is league average, and the blue bar graphs are the amount of time the player spent playing with, or against first fowards, second forwards, third forwards etc. Then the same for defence.

They both caught 240-plus passes as four-year college contributors, with nearly the same stat lines (95-plus catches for about 1,100 yards) as seniors in spread offenses.
They’re within three quarters of an inch of each other, height-wise.

Switzer’s a little speedier, and Welker’s a little stockier, but they both had four-second times in the 20-yard shuttle, an excellent mark in a drill meant to measure agility and change of direction, crucial traits for slot receivers.

Our Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit, sees the comparisons, too:

Switzer’s ability to run routes from the slot and beat nickel defenders makes him a solid developmental slot WR for the Patriots. Like Welker, his sudden and quick acceleration makes him an ideal candidate to run routes in the middle of the field against linebackers and safeties, as well as return punts.
“Wes was just a little bit before his time, before the slot receiver/returner was really valued.” Switzer said when asked about the comparison. “And I think it’s valued at what it is today because of guys like Wes Welker and Julian Edelman.”

Take a look at the testing numbers for each, bearing in mind that Welker wasn’t invited to the combine in his draft year, 2004. (He went undrafted.)

Follow the action with our 2017 NFL draft tracker with pick-by-pick results and analysis updating in real-time for all seven rounds.

While his athleticism isn’t in question, his place in the NFL is. The multi-faceted player is a jack of all trades but master of none. He’d be most useful as a linebacker, but at 5’11 and 213 pounds, is too small to be effective at the next level. He’s got the speed and explosiveness to play safety, but failed to show off the kind of ball skills he’ll need to provide for over-the-top help against NFL quarterbacks. His work on the offensive side of the ball was more novelty act than reliable weapon.

Game Bob Feller Jersey
To take a quarterback or not take a quarterback? At some point in the 2017 NFL draft the Kansas City Chiefs will take a quarterback. But every time they’re on the clock they’ll be asking that question until they get one.Game Tuomo Ruutu Jersey
In the first round of the SB Nation NFL writers’ mock draft, four quarterbacks were taken before Joel Thorman of Arrowhead Pride was even able to get a pick in. Now in the second round he’s targeting a quarterback who has built some first-round momentum in the weeks leading up to day one of the draft.

The following groups outproduced Tennessee — a six-time national champion and the alma mater of Peyton Manning, Reggie White, Jason Witten, and Eric Berry — in total picks over the previous two years:

In 2017, UT sends three of the top 100 prospects and a handful of other candidates, including an interesting later-rounds QB. The Vols are assured of participating in their second draft of the College Football Playoff era.

Jones’ Vols haven’t exactly reached new heights and are unlikely to play for a national title any time soon. But the droughts are over, including back-to-back ranked seasons for the first time since 2007 and UT’s first win over Florida since 2004.

Speaking of 2014, which 2014 hit song feels like it came out the longest time ago? I can’t believe Timber by Pitbull and Kesha was released within the past decade, but that’s what the card says.

Treadwell was limited to just one catch for 15 yards on just three targets last season. Injures kept him out, but with Cordarrelle Patterson gone and Sam Bradford emerging as a perfectly cromulent replacement for Teddy Bridgewater, he should be seeing more burn in 2017.

Game Mens Tyvon Branch Jersey Joel Embiid has become a multisport phenomenon, now with football fans referencing the tagline that has jolted the Philadelphia 76ers back to relevancy.

Embiid appeared at the NFL draft in Philly on Thursday and being the social media maven he is, decided to post some videos of his trip on his Instagram story. That prompted nearby fans to erupt, chanting: Trust the Process!

Bryant responded in a tweet thats since been deleted:

The football season is still many months away, and we dont know whether Coates, Bryant, or neither is correct. Bryants reinstatement to the NFL still depends on him clearing several hurdles this offseason. While Bryant was suspended last season, Coates played poorly, dropping bushels of passes from Ben Roethlisberger. Both are talented deep threats, but theyve both struggled, somehow or another.

The Steelers have a crowded receiver group. Antonio Browns the obvious No. 1, with Smith-Schuster and Eli Rogers locks to make the roster out of training camp. That leaves only two or three spots for Coates, Bryant, and a few other targets who kicked around the roster last year. The NFLs a tricky business sometimes.

Friday nights draft action was interesting with trades coming fast and furious. A draft record 19 defensive backs were selected in the first two rounds.

The draft wrapped up on April 29 with the final four rounds, officially concluding when the Denver Broncos named Chad Kelly as 2017s Mr. Irrelevant with the 253rd pick of the event.

Game Mens Xavien Howard Jersey There are great plays and awful plays on tape. Yall can watch the full copy of these videos and come to your own conclusions. For this exercise Ill be looking at highly drafted college left tackles, for two reasons: First, its easiest to see positives and negatives on film at the tackle position; and second, more emphasis is placed on the left tackle position than any other line position.

Elite Kids Paul Kruger Jersey
Chad Kelly wont be an early pick in the NFL draft. Most evaluators rate the former Ole Miss quarterback as around the 10th-best player at his position, hes dealing with injury, and he had his NFL Combine invitation rescinded, likely for earlier off-field transgressions.

But if youre looking for a reason to be optimistic about Kelly, you dont need to look much further than bloodlines. Hes a nephew of Hall of Fame Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, a universally loved figure who brought the Bills to four Super Bowl appearances and beat cancer in his post-playing career.

Chads father, Kevin, is Jims younger brother. Chads younger brother, Casey, is also a quarterback. (Chad once ran onto the field during one of Caseys high school games after a heavy hit on his brother, in an incident that went viral.)

Elite Kids Ty Lawson Jersey The nephews QB talent has never been in doubt. McCoughtry single-handedly willed the Dream past the first round of last years playoffs, scoring 37 points in the win over Seattle. And replacing 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game will not be easy for head coach Michael Cooper. However, Atlanta has three picks (7, 19 and 31) to get it right. The obvious need would be a stretch forward who can also play some off-guard, but post depth is plentiful, and Atlanta cant go wrong with that either.

Look for more coverage from Swish Appeal in todays draft. Television coverage of the draft will come from ESPN2 (7 p.m. ET; first round) and ESPNU (second and third round).

The Vegas Golden Knights are the latest NHL team to make front office moves after the end of the regular season. According to a report from TSN’s Darren Dreger, Gerard Gallant will be the Golden Knights’ first coach in franchise history.

The news came down in the midst of Wednesday night’s slate of playoff action that Vegas would be holding a press conference at noon on Thursday to announce Gallant’s hiring.

General manager George McPhee called Gallant “qualified” in a statement made to NHL.com:

He then followed it up with 14 more in the second half. Though the Warriors shut he and Damian Lillard down in the fourth quarter to win, 121-109, the Blazers’ dynamic duo announced that they’ll be a threat in this series. The two combined for 75 of Portland’s 109 points.

It’s so strange to remember where McCollum was just two seasons ago: averaging less than seven points and 16 minutes for Portland as a backup two-guard. Last year, he broke out, and this season, McCollum played even better for Portland, which surged during the second half of the season to secure a playoff berth. Sure, it comes against the Warriors, overwhelming favorites to win the whole damn thing this year. But don’t tell McCollum that.

In Game 1, it didn’t come at the expense of Damian Lillard, who had 34 points himself. The 48 from them was the most Lillard and McCollum have combined for in a half, but it’s a perfect example of their dynamism that is nearly impossible to guard. McCollum himself isn’t the quickest or more athletic guard, and his 6’4 frame doesn’t stand out from the crowd. But quirky shots that catch defenders out of rhythm do.

The general idea is: Lynch wants to run through defenders, not around them. As Danny Kelly pointed out in his profile of Lynch Tuesday, his 101 broken tackles this season is the most since that category has been tracked. His 15 broken tackles in the NFC Championship game against the Packers was a playoff record, that broke… his own playoff record, from last year’s game against the Saints. From that earlier NFL Countdown interview.

When a defender comes up to tackle me, I want him to feel that ground. I would describe the point of impact as a wonderful feeling. It’s what I thrive on: contact.
Marshawn now owns the trademark for Beast Mode, and hats with the phrase sold out after he wore one at Media Day.Game Kids William Perry Jersey
With the Seahawks leading the massively favored Saints 34-30 late in a Wild Card playoff game, Lynch busted out one of the most impressive runs in NFL history:

On March 4th, 2017, John Ross III broke Chris Johnsons NFL Combine 40-yard dash record. He posted a blazing fast time of 4.22 seconds, and his family knew he was going to break the record even before he ran. Since he was a child, he has always been the fastest. Now it just happens to be official — with Ross crowned as the new combine king — and his record wont be easily broken.

Tyrone Hill Womens Jersey Speed has always played a major role in his life, and now it has become his greatest asset as he begins the next chapter of his life, the NFL. With his whole career ahead of him, we take a look back at where it all began. From the front yard of his childhood home in Long Beach, California to his kickoff returns at Jordan High School and the cloudy skies above the University of Washington, this is the origin story of John Ross III.

Luck played in just seven games during the 2015 season, missing games because of torn cartilage on two of his ribs and pain in his throwing shoulder, in addition to an unhealed lacerated kidney.

Game Mens Zach Mettenberger Jersey He played through the pain in 2016, starting 15 of the Colts’ 16 games. His one miss was due to a concussion he suffered against the Titans.

Along with the injuries, Luck was working with this third offensive coordinator in his six season in the NFL. Luck has also played through the bad managerial moves of Ryan Grigson, who was replaced this offseason by Chris Ballard who was previously the director of football operations with the Chiefs.

Between the personnel changes of the Colts and his repaired shoulder, we might see a different Andrew Luck during the 2017 season, assuming his shoulder is fully healed.

A couple of those backups are gone, leaving only sophomore Alexander Mattison (4.9 yards per carry), senior walk-on Ryan Wolpin (3.0), and youngsters like redshirt freshman Robert Mahone and true freshman Drake Beasley. Mattison and Beasley are both former mid-three-stars, so there’s probably upside, but it’s been untapped.

Oh yeah, and there might be concerns up front. Starting center Mason Hampton and tackle Archie Lewis return, and sophomore tackle John Molchon started three games last year. But in Travis Averill, Mario Yakoo, and Steven Baggett, BSU must replace three starters who earned all-conference honors and combined for 119 career starts. Harsin was concerned enough that he signed a couple of JUCOs.

Game Mens Xavien Howard Jersey Of course, if Rypien continues to progress, he’ll mask a lot of weaknesses. The former four-star has lived up to the hype thus far, and while Wyoming’s Josh Allen has earned hype (and justifiably so), Rypien had a higher completion rate, more passing yards, and fewer interceptions last year. He’s a stud.

Limited Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Jersey
The vote to move the Raiders out of Oakland passed with 31 of 32 owner votes in favor. It was the outcome for which franchise owner Mark Davis had waited nearly two decades.

The transition will be a costly one for Davis and residents of Las Vegas. Public revenue sources are expected to cover $750 million of the $1.9 billion the franchise’s new stadium will cost. Davis will also have to pay an expected $350 million relocation fee to the NFL — though that’s a far cry from the $650 million Stan Kroenke paid to switch his home market from St. Louis to L.A. However, the team will still have to play two final years in the Bay Area, providing what will certainly be a bittersweet farewell for diehard fans.

Authentic Bernie Parent Jersey Once relocation concerns had been handled, the panel was able to move on to issues that would affect the rest of the league. Owners voted on 15 rules proposals that would directly alter the way the game is played and called by referees. These recommendations ranged from preventing players from leaping over the line of scrimmage to block field goals to chopping overtime down from a 15 minutes to 10.

I couldn’t care less whether it was the “right” call or not. Frankly, I see both sides. Yes, the intended receiver was contacted illegally; But yes, it was also a very difficult play for Gronk to make. If there was no contact, would he have really stopped his momentum and dove back to catch the ball? I doubt it. He doubts it too, as does Tom Brady. Could he have made the play? I suppose it’s possible. Would he have? Nah.

Backup quarterback AJ McCarron is available via trade, but Marvis Lewis isn’t sure he wants to make a move with a divisional rival.

“AJ McCarron is a valuable member of our football team,” Lewis said. “No one has asked to trade him. We’re not going to go out and seek a trade for AJ McCarron. He’s a valuable member of the team. We’ve said that how many times?

“Regardless of what team it is. Regardless of what division it is,” Lewis said in regard to doing business with Cleveland. “Normally the saying, if the price is right people do whatever you need them to do. So I think anything is possible until it’s not.”

There were also rumors the Panthers were interested in trading up with the 49ers for the No. 2 pick, though if Fournette is who they’re targeting, he’ll still probably be there at No. 8.

The NHL announced on Monday that they will not be participating in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. The writing’s been on the wall for months now with each stalled negotiation, but the league finally pulled the plug just a week before the end of the 2017-18 season.

Yet, this announcement has brought up a lot more questions than answers. We’ve known for a while now that the Olympics were in doubt. Now that they’re off the table, we’re in a bit of a holding pattern. No one really knows what’s going to happen to the ever-growing list of players who want to go, or what this means for the future of the NHL with the Olympics.

You’ve likely got questions. Probably a lot of them. We’re just as clueless as you, but let’s try to figure it out together, shall we?